Lab Safety and WHMIS/GHS Vocabulary

Student Responsibilities and General Lab Safety

• Learning Goal: can apply knowledge and understanding of safe practices and procedures when planning investigations.

• Goals: apply safety knowledge to investigations and lab planning.

General Lab Safety Rules

• Do NOT eat or drink in the lab or science classroom.

• Always wear safety gear as instructed.

• Report accidents and broken glass immediately; broken glass goes into a special container.

• Do not pipette by mouth.

• Do not fool around; act sensibly in the lab.

• Know emergency procedures.

• Don’t play mad scientist; follow teacher instructions.

• When observing odours, WAFT instead of sniffing directly.

• Dispose of waste chemicals in a special container unless directed otherwise.

• Tie back long hair.

• Always stand; never sit during lab activities unless instructed.

• Wash hands after lab completion and cleanup.

• Keep benches and floors clear of bags and clutter.

• Ensure long hair and clothing are secured; avoid loose clothing near flames or equipment.

Homework and Safety Agreement

• Read the safety rules thoroughly; you are responsible for knowing them.

• Ask questions if unsure.

• HOMEWORK: get your parents to sign and return TOMORROW.

• No form, No labs!

Safety Agreement (Overview)

• This is a selection of rules you will agree to by signing the safety agreement.

• The following is a sample of the rules you will encounter.

Lab Procedures and Information Access

• Read lab procedures before beginning.

• You should know that the information you seek is in the lab directions.

• Visual aids reference: imgElp.com (reminds to consult directions and safety notes).

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Why wear goggles? To protect eyes from splashes, fumes, and debris.

• DON’T FORGET TO WEAR A HELMET [Note: in some contexts this is a metaphor for head protection or may be a humorous reminder to wear additional head protection when required].

Food and Drink Policy

• NEVER bring or consume food or drink in the lab or science classroom.

Equipment and Hazards

• Never use broken equipment.

• Use only science containers during labs.

• Do not put any substance into an open flame unless instructed by the teacher.

• Do not leave equipment unattended while in use (e.g., bunsen burner).

Spills, Accidents, and Reporting

• Report all chemical spills to your teacher.

• Report any accident or injury to your teacher, no matter how small.

• Follow established procedures for reporting and containment.

Fire Safety and Fire Blanket

• FIRE BLANKET: Size 1.2 m x 1.2 m.

• The fire blanket should be used to smother flames when clothing or the object is on fire.

• Do not reuse blankets that have been used on a fire; dispose of the blanket after use.

• CLOTHING FIRE protocol: If clothing is on fire, get the victim to the ground and cover with the fire blanket; call medical aid and treat for shock; remain in position until cool.

• Release tapes on the blanket by pulling downward and outward to remove.

• In case of clothing fire, STOP, DROP, and ROLL; never run.

Fire and Clothing Safety

• If clothing catches fire: Stop, Drop, and Roll; use the fire blanket as needed.

• Do not run if wearing clothing that is on fire.

• Tie back long hair and loose clothing to prevent catching fire.

Waste Disposal and Lab Hygiene

• Dispose of chemicals and other substances properly according to teacher instructions.

• Follow waste disposal procedures strictly; do not dump chemicals down the sink unless directed.

Emergency Procedures

• Know where to go during: fire alarm, lockdown, tornado.

• Know how to use safety equipment.

• Immediately report injuries.

• Immediately report damaged equipment.

Fire Procedure Details

• In case of fire:

  • Shut off all gas valves and Emergency Shutoff buttons.

  • Pull the fire alarm and evacuate calmly.

  • If clothing catches on fire, STOP, DROP, and ROLL in the fire blanket.

  • Teacher may attempt to use the fire extinguisher if safe.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Details

• Must wear closed-toe shoes.

• Tie back long hair.

• Remove all items from elbows down (rings, watches, etc.) as required.

• Use PPE appropriate for the activity.

• Use heat-resistant gloves or tongs for hot materials.

Bunsen Burner Safety

• Students should stand when using a Bunsen burner.

• Light with a flint lighter; do not use matches or lighters.

• Do not leave unattended.

• Adjust flame to blue for proper combustion.

• Do not reach across an open flame.

• Place the burner at least $30\ \text{cm}$ away from flammable or combustible substances (including wooden cabinets/shelves and the edge of the lab surface).

• Do not add substances to an open flame unless directed by the teacher.

• Allow the burner to cool before putting away.

• Ensure safe handling and supervision when using flames.

Safety Equipment Location and Awareness

• Safety classroom equipment scavenger hunt: locate and record in a sheet the following items and their purpose:

  • Eye wash stations

  • Emergency kit

  • Emergency gas shut off

  • Safety shower

  • Broken glass container

  • Fire blanket

  • Fire extinguisher

Aims and Safety Literacy

• AIMS: List unsafe practices and identify SAFE-T science protocol.

• Emphasizes WHMIS and GHS basics and safety labeling.

WHMIS – GHS Overview

• WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System.

• GHS stands for Globally Harmonized System.

• The new WHMIS uses universal pictograms to convey hazards and precautions.

• Activity: Watch the WHMIS basics video and answer questions under the "The Basics" heading; complete the Supplier Labels section.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

• SDS contents to know:

  • Product Identifier

  • Hazard Pictogram

  • Signal Word

  • Hazard Statement

  • Precautionary Statement

  • Supplier Identifier

Hazard Labels and Symbols (Examples)

• GAS CYLINDER: Hazard can explode if heated; Precaution: store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area; avoid sudden temperature changes; do not drop. Example: Oxygen cylinder.

• FLAME: Hazard - flammable or self-reactive; Precaution - keep container tightly closed; Example: Propane.

• FLAME OVER CIRCLE: Hazard - may cause or intensify a fire; Precaution - ventilate properly, store separately, reduce dust.

• HEALTH HAZARD: Hazard - carcinogen, mutagen, reproductive toxin, respiratory sensitizer, toxic to target organs & if aspirated; Precaution - work in well-ventilated area, avoid inhalation; Example: Carbon monoxide.

• SKULL AND CROSSBONES: Hazard - fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or in contact with skin; Precaution - store securely, wear protective gloves; Example: Cyanide.

• BIOHAZARDOUS: Hazard - living organisms or viruses in living cells that can cause illness or death; Precaution - do not breathe vapours, avoid contamination; Requires special training; Examples: Covid-19, Ebola, HIV, Salmonella.

• CORROSION: Hazard - damage to eyes, corrosive to metals and skin; Precaution - keep containers closed, wear PPE; Example: Hydrochloric acid.

• EXCLAMATION MARK: Hazard - irritant to skin, eyes, respiratory tract; Precaution - avoid dust/fumes, wash after handling; Example: Capsaicin, Copper(II) sulfate.

• EXPLODING BOMB: Hazard - explosive, self-reactive, or projection hazard; Precaution - store separately; Example: Group 1 metals (lithium, sodium).

• ENVIRONMENT: Hazard - substance can damage aquatic and terrestrial systems; Precaution - dispose of substance properly; Examples: CFCs, Nitrogen oxides.

HHPS (Hazardous Household Product Symbols)

• HHPS is used to label some home products.

• The symbol is composed of two parts: SYMBOL and BORDER (explanation of meaning for each part).

Lab Safety Contract and Assessments

• Lab Safety Contract: required to be signed.

• Start lab safety poster assignment.

• The final good copy of the safety poster is due Friday, September 12, 2025.

• There will be a quiz on WHMIS/SDS/SAFETY RULES (the package completed today) on Friday September 12, 2025.

Real-World Relevance and Ethical Considerations

• Safe lab practices protect students, instructors, and the community from harm.

• Adherence to PPE and proper disposal helps prevent environmental contamination and long-term health risks.

• Understanding WHMIS/GHS improves worker safety in any industry that handles hazardous materials, from schools to manufacturing to healthcare.

• Ethical implication: responsibility lies with each student to maintain a safe learning environment and to report hazards or injuries promptly.

• Practical implication: rigorous safety training reduces incident rates and supports reliable experimental outcomes.

Quick Reference Formulas and Numerical References

• Distance from flammables when using a Bunsen burner: $d \ge 30\ \mathrm{cm}$

• Bunsen burner safety: place at least $1.0\ \mathrm{m}$ from flammables when required by context (note: the explicit distance given in the material is $30\ \mathrm{cm}$; treat larger spaces as safer practice).

• Fire blanket size: $1.2\ \mathrm{m} \times 1.2\ \mathrm{m}$

• Fire blanket usage instructions include: pull tapes to release, drape over flames, switch off heat, leave in position until cool.

Connections to Foundational Principles

• Risk assessment and control: identify hazards (chemical, physical, biological) and implement controls (PPE, engineering controls, procedures).

• Scientific method: safety is an integral part of planning investigations and ensuring repeatable, reliable results.

• Ethics in science: personal responsibility, proper waste disposal, and transparency in reporting incidents.

• Real-world application: WHMIS/GHS labeling is standard in workplaces handling hazardous materials; SDSs provide critical information for safe handling and emergency response.

Summary and Practical Takeaways

• Your safety in the lab depends on following rules consistently, wearing PPE, and adhering to procedures.

• Know how to respond to spills, injuries, and fires; practice emergency drills and know where safety equipment is located.

• Always verify that you are using correct containers, that equipment is intact, and that you dispose of materials properly.

• When in doubt, consult procedures and ask the instructor before proceeding.